OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing

Abstract

An OCT online monitoring device for processing transparent and non-transparent composite materials. The present invention relates to the technical field of composite material monitoring, and specifically to the technical field of OCT online monitoring devices for processing transparent and non-transparent composite materials. The present invention first adopts a method of alternately emitting a low-coherence light source and a high-spectral integrated light source to extract the structural information of transparent and non-transparent composite materials, and adopts a dual-path method to simultaneously collect the structural information of transparent and non-transparent composite materials for analysis and processing, thereby improving the comprehensiveness and accuracy of monitoring transparent and non-transparent composite materials. The device comprises: a composite light source, a fiber optic coupler, a reference arm, a sample arm and an imaging processing unit; the fiber optic coupler is respectively connected to the composite light source, the reference arm, the sample arm and the imaging processing unit. The present invention can monitor the microscopic evolution of processing processes such as melting, welding and solidification in real time under non-contact conditions, and provide a high-resolution and dynamic process control basis for composite material molding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of composite material monitoring, and in particular to the technical field of OCT online monitoring devices for processing transparent and non-transparent composite materials. Background Art

[0002] The performance of composite materials is closely linked to their preparation process: the doping ratio and embedding method of different elements directly influence the material's core characteristics, such as micromorphology, density, uniformity, and grain state. Furthermore, the material's thermodynamic behavior and phase evolution during processing (such as melt forming, vapor deposition, and welding) further influence its macroscopic properties. A lack of real-time monitoring and dynamic control of the processing state during this process can lead to internal defects or performance deviations in the material, ultimately compromising its engineering application.

[0003] The development of multi-band composite detection technology has significantly improved the detection capabilities of transparent targets. This has also placed new demands on the development of transparent composite materials. The intermixing of transparent and non-transparent materials, coupled with the high pressure and complex variations in aircraft composite applications, necessitates long processing cycles and high costs to ensure material reliability and safety.

[0004] Real-time monitoring of the material's condition during processing can effectively control processing parameters to achieve optimal material results. This can avoid problems such as rework and re-manufacturing due to insufficient performance after processing, which can extend processing cycles and increase costs. Therefore, real-time monitoring of composite material processing can effectively reduce costs.

[0005] Traditional detection methods have significant limitations. First, they rely on post-process destructive testing (such as cross-section analysis and sampling testing), making it difficult to track the dynamic evolution of the process. Second, material properties vary significantly under different processing environments (temperature, pressure, atmosphere, etc.), but traditional methods cannot capture the dynamic impact of these variables on the material's internal structure in real time. Therefore, the development of non-contact, non-destructive, and high-resolution online monitoring technologies is key to improving the controllability of composite material processing.

[0006] Common OCT techniques use low-coherence light sources to obtain structural features of samples for analysis. However, when using only low-coherence light sources for transparent and non-transparent composite materials, the structural information collected is limited.

[0007] Conventional imaging processing only targets the scattered (reflected) light beam of the sample, which is not comprehensive enough for monitoring transparent and non-transparent composite materials. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the long and costly process of monitoring transparent and non-transparent materials, as well as the limited and incomplete information obtained by existing monitoring methods, this invention proposes an OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing. First, it uses alternating emission of a low-coherence light source and a hyperspectral integrated light source to extract structural information of transparent and non-transparent composite materials. This data is then simultaneously collected and analyzed using a dual-pathway, improving the comprehensiveness and accuracy of monitoring of transparent and non-transparent composite materials.

[0009] The device comprises: a composite light source, a fiber coupler, a reference arm, a sample arm and an imaging processing unit;

[0010] The optical fiber coupler is respectively connected to the composite light source, the reference arm, the sample arm and the imaging processing unit;

[0011] The composite light source alternately emits a low-coherence beam and a high-spectral integrated beam to the fiber coupler. The fiber coupler divides the incident beam into a reference beam and a sample beam. The reference beam is injected into the reference arm, and the sample beam is injected into the sample arm. After receiving the incident beam, the reference arm and the sample arm respectively emit a reference feedback beam and a sample feedback beam to the fiber coupler. The fiber coupler processes the reference feedback beam and the sample feedback beam and sends them to the imaging processing unit.

[0012] The imaging processing unit includes: a grating spectrometer, a CMOS pixel array, an integrated optical switch, and a computer;

[0013] The integrated optical switch includes: an optical switch and a CCD array;

[0014] The integrated optical switch is arranged on the transmitted light path of the sample;

[0015] The integrated optical switch receives and determines whether the light intensity of the sample transmission light beam meets the transmission light intensity threshold. If the transmission light intensity threshold is met, the sample transmission light beam is converted into a sample transmission light beam signal and sent to the computer.

[0016] Otherwise, it will not be sent.

[0017] Furthermore, the composite light source includes: a power module, a low-coherence light source, a constant current module, a hyperspectral integrated light source and an optical isolator;

[0018] The power module is used to provide power;

[0019] The low-coherence light source is used to provide a low-coherence light beam;

[0020] The constant current module is used to provide stable current for the hyperspectral integrated light source;

[0021] The hyperspectral integrated light source is used to provide a hyperspectral integrated light beam;

[0022] Optical isolators are used to block the damage of reverse reflected light to low coherence light sources and high spectrum integrated light sources.

[0023] Furthermore, the fiber coupler processes the reference feedback beam and the sample feedback beam and sends them to the imaging processing unit. Specifically, the reference feedback beam and the sample feedback beam undergo coherent interference at the fiber coupler to form a spectrum modulation signal, which is sent to the imaging processing unit.

[0024] Furthermore, after the spectrum modulation signal is injected into the imaging processing unit, it is processed by the grating spectrometer and the CMOS pixel array in sequence and then input into the computer;

[0025] After the sample transmission beam enters the imaging processing unit, it is processed by the integrated optical switch and then judged by the feature matching algorithm whether to trigger the feedback process. If the feedback process is triggered, the sample transmission beam signal output by the integrated optical switch is input into the computer;

[0026] Otherwise, it will not be entered into the computer.

[0027] Furthermore, the computer sequentially performs background noise suppression, wavenumber space resampling, and fast Fourier transform processing on the input data, and outputs a tomographic image that can display the monitoring results.

[0028] Furthermore, the reference arm comprises: a reference arm reflector and a reference arm lens group;

[0029] The sample arm comprises a folding mirror, a sample arm lens group and a sample to be measured.

[0030] Furthermore, the sample under test performs a lateral return motion in a cycle.

[0031] The beneficial effects of the method of the present invention are:

[0032] (1) The device of the present invention adopts the method of alternating emission of low-coherence light source and high-spectral integrated light source, which can simultaneously extract the structural information of scattering (reflection) and transmission of transparent and non-transparent composite materials. The combination of low-coherence light source and high-spectral integrated light source can accurately locate the depth of the material and the interface between layers. At the same time, it also makes up for the serious defect of insufficient transmission ability of low-coherence light source.

[0033] The combination of low-coherence light source and high-spectral integrated light source can characterize the interlayer information and surface morphology of the composite material processing process, and further detect the gaps, damage, etc. in the composite material processing process. Compared with the traditional OCT imaging system, this can collect more material depth information and material structure information, and better analyze the problems in the processing process.

[0034] (2) The device described in the present invention is provided with an integrated optical switch device to collect the sample transmission light beam, and a separate imaging processing path is provided to further screen the sample transmission light beam, and finally the sample scattering (reflection) information and the sample transmission information are integrated, which can collect more material depth information and material structure information, and more accurately analyze the problems existing in the processing process.

[0035] (3) The device described in the present invention can monitor the microscopic evolution (such as grain growth and densification) during the processing of melting, welding and solidification in real time under non-contact conditions, providing a high-resolution and dynamic process control basis for composite material molding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 This is the transposed structure diagram of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the composite light source structure of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a flow chart of the sample transmission light beam collection process described in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] This embodiment provides an OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing. The device structure is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the device is based on the optical interference principle of a Michelson interferometer. Combined with the OCT system's spectral scanning capabilities across the visible (380-780 nm), near-infrared (0.76-1.1 μm), and short-wave infrared (1.1-2.5 μm) bands, it adapts to the light transmission characteristics of transparent composite materials and meets the requirements for nondestructive testing of surface morphology, mechanical properties, and internal structure. Furthermore, the different refractive indexes and reflectivity between transparent and non-transparent materials can be used to analyze the gaps between materials and their surface characteristics.

[0041] The device comprises: a composite light source 1, a fiber coupler 2, a reference arm 3, a sample arm 4 and an imaging processing unit 5;

[0042] The fiber coupler 2 is connected to the composite light source 1, the reference arm 3, the sample arm 4 and the imaging processing unit 5 respectively;

[0043] like Figure 2As shown, the composite light source 1 includes: a power module 101, a low coherence light source 102, a constant current module 103, a hyperspectral integrated light source 104 and an optical isolator 105;

[0044] The power module 101 is used to provide power;

[0045] The low coherence light source (such as high-bandwidth near-infrared light) 102 is used to provide a low coherence light beam;

[0046] The constant current module 103 is used to provide a stable current for the hyperspectral integrated light source 104;

[0047] The hyperspectral integrated light source 104 is composed of a composite of high-coherence light sources (such as monochromatic lasers) and is used to provide a hyperspectral integrated light beam;

[0048] The optical isolator 105 utilizes its unidirectional transmission characteristic to block the damage of the reverse reflected light to the low coherence light source 102 and the hyperspectral integrated light source 104 .

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, the reference arm 3 includes: a reference arm reflector 301 and a reference arm lens group 302;

[0050] The sample arm 4 includes a folding mirror 401 , a sample arm lens assembly 402 and a sample 403 to be measured.

[0051] The sample 403 under test performs a lateral return motion in a cycle.

[0052] The reference arm lens group 302 and the sample arm lens group 402 have the same structure and are both used to collimate the incident light beam.

[0053] The composite light source 1 alternately emits a broadband low-coherence beam and a high-spectrum integrated beam to the fiber coupler 2, which splits the incident beam into a reference beam and a sample beam of equal intensity.

[0054] The reference beam enters the reference arm 3, is collimated by the reference arm lens group 302, and then reflected by the precisely modulated reference arm reflector 301 to form a reference feedback beam. The reference feedback beam is then sent to the fiber coupler 2.

[0055] The sample beam enters the sample arm 4, passes through the deflecting mirror 401 and the sample arm lens group 402, and then enters the sample 403 to be measured. After being scattered on the surface and inside the sample 403, a sample feedback beam carrying backscattered information such as the internal microstructure of the sample is formed. The sample feedback beam passes through the sample arm lens group 402 and the deflecting mirror 401 and is sent to the fiber coupler 2.

[0056] The reference feedback beam and the sample feedback beam undergo coherent interference at the optical fiber coupler 2 to form a spectrum modulation signal, which is sent to the imaging processing unit 5 .

[0057] The imaging processing unit 5 includes: a grating spectrometer, a CMOS pixel array, an integrated optical switch 501 and a computer;

[0058] The integrated optical switch 501 includes: an optical switch and a CCD array;

[0059] The integrated optical switch 501 is set on the transmission light path of the sample and serves as a collection window for dynamically controlling the information of the sample's transmitted light beam;

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the integrated optical switch 501 monitors the intensity of the sample transmitted light beam in real time, triggers the programmed logic to determine whether the intensity of the sample transmitted light beam meets the transmission light intensity threshold, and if the transmission light intensity threshold is met, the sample transmitted light beam is converted into a sample transmitted light beam signal (electrical signal) and transmitted to the computer;

[0061] Otherwise, it will not be sent.

[0062] After the spectrum modulation signal is injected into the imaging processing unit 5, it is first dispersed into wavelength-discrete spectral components by the grating spectrometer, and then synchronously captured by the high-sensitivity CMOS pixel array to obtain discrete spectral data and input into the computer;

[0063] After the sample transmission light beam enters the imaging processing unit 5, it is processed by the integrated optical switch 501 and then determined by a feature matching algorithm whether feedback processing is triggered. If feedback processing is triggered, the sample transmission light beam signal output by the integrated optical switch 501 is input into the computer. The computer combines the information from the two collection paths to produce a more detailed optical digital image. The computer sequentially performs digital signal processing such as background noise suppression, wavenumber space resampling, and fast Fourier transform on the input data, and outputs a tomographic image that can reflect the change in the refractive index in the depth direction of the sample, which is used to display the monitoring results. The Fourier transform can analyze the optoelectronic properties and microstructure of the material.

[0064] Otherwise, it will not be entered into the computer.

Claims

1. The OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing is characterized by: The device comprises: a composite light source (1), a fiber coupler (2), a reference arm (3), a sample arm (4), and an imaging processing unit (5); The optical fiber coupler (2) is respectively connected to the composite light source (1), the reference arm (3), the sample arm (4) and the imaging processing unit (5); The composite light source (1) alternately emits a low-coherence beam and a high-spectral integrated beam to the optical fiber coupler (2). The optical fiber coupler (2) divides the incident beam into a reference beam and a sample beam. The reference beam is emitted into a reference arm (3), and the sample beam is emitted into a sample arm (4). After receiving the incident beam, the reference arm (3) and the sample arm (4) respectively emit a reference feedback beam and a sample feedback beam to the optical fiber coupler (2). The optical fiber coupler (2) processes the reference feedback beam and the sample feedback beam and sends them to the imaging processing unit (5). The imaging processing unit (5) includes: a grating spectrometer, a CMOS pixel array, an integrated optical switch (501) and a computer; The integrated optical switch (501) comprises: an optical switch and a CCD array; The integrated optical switch (501) is arranged on the transmission light path of the sample; The integrated optical switch (501) receives and determines whether the light intensity of the sample transmission light beam meets the transmission light intensity threshold, and if the transmission light intensity threshold is met, the sample transmission light beam is converted into a sample transmission light beam signal and sent to the computer; Otherwise, it will not be sent.

2. The OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The composite light source (1) includes: a power module (101), a low-coherence light source (102), a constant current module (103), a high-spectrum integrated light source (104) and an optical isolator (105); The power module (101) is used to provide power; The low coherence light source (102) is used to provide a low coherence light beam; The constant current module (103) is used to provide a stable current for the hyperspectral integrated light source (104); The hyperspectral integrated light source (104) is used to provide a hyperspectral integrated light beam; The optical isolator (105) is used to block the damage of the reverse reflected light to the low coherence light source (102) and the high spectrum integrated light source (104).

3. The OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The optical fiber coupler (2) processes the reference feedback beam and the sample feedback beam and sends them to the imaging processing unit (5). Specifically, the reference feedback beam and the sample feedback beam undergo coherent interference at the optical fiber coupler (2) to form a spectrum modulation signal, and the spectrum modulation signal is sent to the imaging processing unit (5).

4. The OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing according to claim 3 is characterized in that: After the spectrum modulation signal is injected into the imaging processing unit (5), it is processed by the grating spectrometer and the CMOS pixel array in sequence and then input into the computer; After the sample transmission light beam enters the imaging processing unit (5), it is processed by the integrated optical switch (501) and then judged by the feature matching algorithm whether to trigger feedback processing. If the feedback processing is triggered, the sample transmission light beam signal output by the integrated optical switch (501) is input into the computer; Otherwise, it will not be entered into the computer.

5. The OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing according to claim 4, characterized in that: The computer sequentially performs background noise suppression, wavenumber space resampling and fast Fourier transform processing on the input data, and outputs a tomographic image capable of displaying the monitoring results.

6. The OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing according to claim 5, characterized in that: The reference arm (3) comprises: a reference arm reflector (301) and a reference arm lens group (302); The sample arm (4) comprises a folding mirror (401), a sample arm lens group (402) and a sample to be measured (403).

7. The OCT online monitoring device for transparent and non-transparent composite material processing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The sample (403) under test performs a lateral return motion in a cycle.

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